Bills tackling opioid addiction, prescription drug price gouging among those still being debated

Share

Shares

Copy Link

{copyShortcut} to copy
Link copied!

Updated: 6:49 AM EDT Apr 10, 2017

Hide TranscriptShow Transcript

WEBVTT LIVE WITH A CLOSER LOOK.OMAR: STATE LAWMAKERS ARE EXPECTED TO APPROVE SOME LANGUAGE IN THE MARYLAND TRUST ACT THAT WOULD HAVE PROHIBITED LOCAL POLICE FROM ASKING A PERSON'S IMMIGRATION STATUS.GOVERNOR LOGAN PROMISED A VETO AND IT WAS WITHDRAWN BUT THE LOCAL POLICE ANGLE IS INCLUDED IN ANOTHER BILL.AMONG OTHER THINGS ON THE TABLE OPIOIDS SOME BILLS BEING CONSIDERED WOULD SET LIMITS ON OPIOID PRESCRIPTIONS AND ANOTHERWOULD EXPAND OPIOID EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN SCHOOLS.LAWMAKERS ARE ALSO HOPING TO AMEND THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA LAW TO HELP ACHIEVE RACIAL DIVERSITY.IT ALLOWS FOR 1 MACHINESES BUT THEY WANT TO -- LICENSES.IT WOULD ALLOW THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO SUE DRUG COMPANIES FOR SUSPECTED PRICE GOUGING WITHOUT APPROVAL FROM THE LEGISLATURE OR GOVERNOR.THE SENATE WILL LOOK AT EMERGENCY LEGISLATION THAT WITH STOP INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS FROM SELLING A CONSUMER'S PERSONAL INFORMATION.THAT COMES IN DIRECT OPPOSITION TO A BILL PASSED BY CONGRESS ANDTHIS IS THE LAST DAY AND WHATEVER DOESN'T PASS THE HOUSE AND SENATE BY MIDNIGHT WILL HAVETO BE INTRODUCED AGAIN NEXT YEAR.

General Assembly prepares for end of 90-day session

Bills tackling opioid addiction, prescription drug price gouging among those still being debated

Related Content

Lawmakers have made a number of compromises but a few issues need to be sorted out before heading to the governor's desk.

State lawmakers are expected to approve some of the language included in the Maryland Trust Act. Among other things, the act would have prohibited local police from asking a person's immigration status. Gov. Larry Hogan promised to veto the bill and that legislation was withdrawn, but the local police aspect is included in another immigration bill expected to be considered Monday.

Also under consideration is several bills hoping to address the state’s opioid addiction epidemic. Among the bills being considered is one that would set limits on opioid prescriptions, another would expand opioid education programs in schools.

Lawmakers are also hoping to amend the state's medical marijuana law to help achieve racial diversity. The law currently allows for 15 licenses and the Legislative Black Caucus wants to increase that by five.

Another bill being considered would allow state Attorney General Brian Frosh to sue drug companies for suspected price gouging without approval from the legislature or governor.

The senate will also look at emergency legislation that would stop Internet service providers from selling a consumer's personal information to a third party. The bill was introduced in direct opposition to a bill approved in Congress and signed into law on the federal level.

Over the weekend, the House of Delegates sent the governor a bill tightening state ethics laws. The measure would mean increased financial disclosure requirements for state elected and public officials as well as lobbyists.

Lawmakers also reached a compromise on a bill regulating activities at breweries. The bill would allow breweries to produce and sell 3,000 barrels of beer on site and also allows for breweries to sell beer brewed at other facilities. Hours of operation at taprooms would be limited as not to compete with bars and restaurants.

Whatever doesn't pass both the house and senate by midnight will be considered dead and have to be reintroduced next year.